Where were you 10 years ago?

May 22, 1998 found me making my first trip to Colorado Springs as Jeff had invited me to accompany him to Ring Dance - traditionally held the Friday before Memorial Day. Ring Dance is when the Junior class receives their class rings preparatory to their last year of school. Sadly, this weekend did not turn out to be one of the highlights of our courtship because I ended it with the "I just want to be friends" talk. Poor Jeff. Poor me . . . I was so confused. Luckily, I came to my senses within a few months and we got back on track.

Nonetheless, as I look back on the trip, I am glad that I was there and that we shared this experience together. I think if I could sum up my impression of being on that campus, I would have to speak of the history that emanates from every inch of it. Also, I remember feeling a little in awe and proud of the legacy of our country, our Air Force, and those who were affiliated with it. At the end of 3 years of school and after some really hard experiences, there was a tangible feeling of celebration in the air.

I don't remember much of the specifics about that night . . . I wore a gorgeous gold dress that my Aunt Nyla made for me. (I found out later that gold was also the Class of 99's color and people asked Jeff if I had chosen that color on purpose.) We had dinner in the cafeteria (I think Mitchell Hall) and I was impressed at how efficiently they could serve dinner to 2,000 guests (1,000 cadets and their escorts). I think we ate steak, but I don't remember for sure. (I do remember thinking it was not bad food though given the huge quantities they were preparing.) Anybody who knows Jeff knows he's not much for dancing, so I think we wandered into the area where the dance was, but didn't stay long. We ended the evening at a friend from Jeff's ward with lots of the other cadets.

Saturday we spent the day hiking, at a farmer's market, and enjoying the majestic Colorado scenery. I do love the mountains!!

The pictures don't really look that great . . . Jeff usually does the scanning so I'm a big NOVICE. But I wanted to get them out so I could mark the occasion. The last pic is especially blurry, but I wanted to post a full length of my dress.